A Limerick publican who opened his pub in Newcastlewest in County Limerick in defiance of the public health guidelines, has been advised by gardaí to close his premises.
42-year-old Gearoid Whelan, who runs the family bar in Maiden Street in the town, opened his premises at 11am. Pubs which do not serve food have been asked to remain closed until 10 August.
Mr Whelan, who's family have been in the licensed trade for 70 years, said he simply had to take a stand and show that he could open his premises safely observing all of the social distancing and other measures advised by the public health authorities.
He said he spent over €10,000 upgrading his premises with Covid-19 signage, sanitiser, sign-in forms and temperature testing, as well as